Basketball, Milan-Bologna, is an all-out battle. And then there are the investigations against Zanetti

After the first four games that had raised hidden complaints for some episodes at the limit of the regulation, on Thursday evening at the end of the fifth game the arbitration case of the championship series between Milan and Virtus exploded, following the testimonies of Massimo Zanetti, owner of the Clubs Bologna. “It’s time to stop the psychological submission of the referees to Milan and Messina” was the frontal attack by Mister Segafredo that sparked a heated controversy that heralds a match-6 in a hot forum. Also tonight (20.30; TV Eurosport 2 and Rai Sport), as in Race 3 and Race 4, 12,300 seats are foreseen to allow Milan to take advantage of the second match point.

EXCHANGE OF COMMUNICATION

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Yesterday Olimpia’s response to Zanetti’s unequivocal words was immediate, while the coach Messina underlined in the fifth game that “there were two different referee meters. One of their players insulted the referees, while one of us was sanctioned ”. “Having taken note of Dr. Zanetti’s explanations after the 5th match – reads the official statement of the club – Pallacanestro Olimpia Milano expresses amazement and indignation at the words, allusions and tones used by the owner of Virtus Bologna. Olimpia Milano and its structure is known throughout Europe for its fairness and style. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Dr. Zanetti has made unfounded and insulting reflections on our club and its members. In addition to being imaginative and unfounded, at this moment they are also irresponsible like those of other exponents of the Bolognese society on the eve of a series that should have shown only the good part of our movement, of which obviously the current possession of Virtus is scarce. interest, it was therefore the Federation to activate the Federal Prosecutor’s Office, examining whether there is information on the provisions of the members against Virtus and its assets “.
There is also Virtus’ answer. “Dr. Zanetti has no offensive content towards the Milanese club or its members, much less his property, which in fact has repeatedly shown respect and esteem Virtus has shown in recent years how much Dr. Zanetti and all the club staff are involved in the growth of the entire Italian basketball movement. It is therefore out of place to call the federal prosecutor to act ”. Yesterday morning the investigative office of the Fip Public Prosecutor’s Office, led by Marco Lucente, was immediately activated. The refereeing issue had been critically addressed on April 16 by Messina himself, who described the boos as the only Serie A member blocked and unable to communicate. Then, on the eve of race one, Luca Baraldi in Virtus, who was taking the social media of the fans, expressed his concerns about the nominations by express.

SCUDI & BELI

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On a technical level, there is little to discover. The two teams and the two coaches know each other thoroughly. Milan need to reload Shields, a pity in Game 5 to be true; Bologna are confident in a Belinelli match from their captain and Weems’ redemption. Mister Scariolo, still with his back to the wall, has to invent something or find a joker to influence the series. But Messina also has little margin for error.